Need suggestions from the LICC locals!

V

van lafermine

Member
Member
Joined
Feb 18, 2008
RO Number
29446
Messages
476
We have 2 boats leaving the Chesapeake Bay the weekend of July 4th for 2 weeks. Our first stop will be Cape May for a few days then headed to the East End of LI. We want to hit Montauk and were thinking of Block. After reading the reviews of Champlains and the crazyness that goes along with it we decided not to go their. We are looking for someplace nice, near a town either walkable or by bike that is fun with all the services. Maybe Riverhead, Greenport or something in that area. My question is what are the best marina's in those area's with restaurants, bars, pools etc. We are Yacht Club members so we can do the reciprocation thing but just not sure which ones are the best. Also what are your suggestions for Montauk?

We are both traveling in 45' diesel express cruisers so distance is not a real problem as long as the seas cooperate. We were also thinking of going in thru Shinnicock canal or are we better off going around to Montauk?

Any and all suggestions will help!
Thanks in advance

Van
 
The only time Champlins is a mad house is on July 4th weekend, during the week it is very quiet. We go there every year and love it. We time our arrival for Sunday afternoon or Monday morning and leave by Friday. Never had a problem with crowds.

Montauk Yacht Club is the only place I stay at in Montauk. The other option is Star Island, but it is more of a fishing marina than a yacht club.

I would not go through Shinnecock, there is some very shallow water there. Go around Montauk point and right into Montauk lake.

Riverhead is way out of the way, up a long, narrow, shallow channel.

Greenport is great, the town dock is right in the heart of town, but there is no pool. Stirling harbor is a Brewers, which is nice and has a pool, but is a hike to town.
 
there are many places to stop if you go via the sound.
 
We are going to Montauk, Greenport and Block July 4th timeframe.
Block we will stay at the Boat Basin.
I wouldn't touch champlins any week just because of the incident I had with them plus the fact that they will raft you at their discretion, so if they do happen to get more boats than they can handle they will raft you. If you want your own slip with no boat tied to yours, stay at Boat Basin or Paynes in block and I recommend the boat basin. Block is great stop. If you stay at Boat Basin, you can walk to Champlins and have fun and then sleep comfortable at night knowing your boat is safe!

Montauk the Montauk Yacht Club is best.
Greenport we stay at Townsends. It has a pool, short walk to town and is decent.
Other places to consider, Sag Harbor and Shelter Island are both nice stops.
We stayed at the Waterfront in Sag.
Shelter you have Coecles and Deering, Deering is a short ferry ride to Greenport with good restaurants right there.

Shinnecock Canal is no fun under certain conditions, if you can go around, go around.
Also keep in mind if you have outriggers or tall bridge, the canal has a fixed railroad bridge. I think it is 19', but check your charts.

Good luck!
Dump the Chump!
 
Paynes also rafts boats.

The past ten years, we have gone to Champlins either late Sunday or early Monday and have always gotten a slip with our stern on a floating dock. Yes, they pack them in, but if you get there early in the week you don't have to worry about anyone walking across your boat. If you want a pool, they are the only one's who have one. They also have a big BBQ area, game room and plenty of bathrooms.

Dave had a problem with them, I don't blame him for his never going back, but we never have and we love it.

I have stayed at Townsends, I found it to be pretty much of a dump.
 
Riverhead is a zero. Better than it used to be but it doesn't represent the best of cruising on the east end of Long Island.

Montauk is an interesting destination if you haven't been there. The Montauk Yacht Club is very nice but you'll need a cab to get to "downtown" Montauk where all the shops are. This is a good time to see Montauk because the New Yorkers are buying up everything in sight, knocking down the old cottages and building mega-mansions. Too bad. This used to be a really cool fishing village.

Greenport might be fun. Mitchell's downtown is a really well-run marina and the village is charming. As noted, they don't have a pool and there is no shade but we love the place. If possible, think about arriving on a weekday and leaving on a weekday. The 11am Sunday check-out at Mitchell's can be quite a circus.

If you decide to stop or stay at Greenport, you definitely want to use the Shinnecock inlet to enter Great Peconic Bay and avoid going all the way around Montauk Point. We run that inlet each year several times without incident. You just need to watch the depths and, if unsure, ask for local knowledge. There are lots of boats going through there every day. Once in, you will encounter one lock but it's a really easy and quick one.

Greenport's Stirling Harbor has two Brewers yards that are nice and they have fuel. It is a hike to downtown but if you have a dink, you can motor in and then walk a few blocks. If you are in Greenport, think about getting some super-fresh fish from Alice's. Alice's doesn't look like much but her lobsters are the way they are supposed to be. Ask any local for the phone number.

Block Island is our favorite. There is nothing wrong with Chaplain's except on July 4th weekend, when the entire island is overcrowded anyway. Champlain's is a little too formal for old New Englanders like us and we always stay at Payne's Dock. Yes, you will raft up to other boats at Paynes but we find that's part of the fun and we always meet great people there. Payne's has diesel, by the way.

Hope you enjoy the trip.

Bill
 
I plan to go to Chaplain's again this year I didn't make there last year but have the past several and enjoyed every visit. I have been rafted but I went with friends and was rafted with them it really wasn't a problem at all. Montauk Yacht club it one of my favorite stops, there have to be one of the nicest marina in the region but they charge for it as well. Aside for those two stops the sound is full of plenty of very nice marinas and destination stops. Enjoy your trip and post where you will be and you will likely meet someone along the way.
 
You should consider Newport as long as you're going to go as far as Block. It is a beautiful deep water harbor about 25 miles north of Block Is.

Billy K.
 
We have done Newport.
Nice trip and great destination.
But as long as we are listing more North places, we have to add Mystic, Essex, Mohegan Sun, etc.

One thing is for sure is there is no shortage of boating destinations on the east coast!
 
Not sure cape may is worth a few days if you are going to go all the way to southern New England. Since it s just a day run from the Chesie why stop there so long, use the time to visit more places around LIS.

I wouldn't go straight to montauk from cape may and miss going thru NY harbor and up the east river at least on the way north. Sure it will add a few miles but well worth it.

Block is ok but a quick detour thru Cuttyhunk is probably worth considering as well as a day in Newport. I just love Newport...
 
Be aware that Newport is MOBBED during the summer. If you like high prices, packed sidewalks, tee shirt shops and long lines at restaurants, then you will love Newport.

I agree, more than an overnight in Cape May is a waste of time. If you are going to do that, I recommend Schooner Island Marina, about 20 minutes north on the inside. They have a great staff, beautiful docks, a pool and they are within walking distance of shopping, good restaurants and the ocean.
 
Thanks for all the reply's, its nice to hear from those who have visited areas I have not really boated in.

I probably should have noted that after we leave the East End we are headed to Northport, I am originally from there but left in 1972. From there we are headed to NYC and staying at Liberty Landing for a few days and then headed south again.

I agree with Pascal that we should probably shorten our stay in Cape May but most marina's want a 3 day stay over the 4th of July. I will check on that.

I have been looking at the Marina's everyone has referenced on Active Captain and compared to the Chesapeake it is "sticker shock" but that has to be expected. It is worth a few extra $$ to get the full east end experience.

I think in Montauk we will stay at the MYC as everyone has said it is the best around. I am hearing conflicted experiences about Champlins and BI so I am not sure if I want to go their or someplace like Greenport, which most say is a great stop. My other thought is Sag Harbor. Being that we are headed towards NYC after that I will probably not visit Newport or Mystic on this trip. That is definately on my bucket list down the road.

Thanks for the reply's, keep em coming love to read about folks experiences and suggestions.
 
Van, we will probably be out east the 4th - 20th of July. most likely heading to Block on the 7th and staying at Champlins. If you are out there during that time, I'd love to meet up with you. Keep us posted on what your plans are.

I think if you skip Block, you will be missing out on one of the best stops on your trip. To go all that way and not stop there would really be a shame. Block is truly a boater's paradise, and is nicknamed "Bermuda of the East"
 
My .02

Block - we love the place. Have stayed at Champlins, the Boat Basin and on a mooring. If you have kids with you then Champlins is the place to go. Have had good and not so good experiences at Champs. Better during the week.

Greenport - Townsends is ok if you are not using the hotel. They have docks, a pool and are close enough to walk to town. What more do you need?

Montauk - Have stayed at both MYC and Star Island. Like others have said, MYC is a step up.

Newport - Loved it. Can get a bit crowded.

If you want to go back through the Sound, Essex on the CT side (up CT River)is nice. Old Saybrook is OK but nothing to write home about. Milford is a nice overnight with lots of restaurants but not much else.
 
All great stops and good inputs here.
I think it depends a lot of you have kids on board for the trip.
when we have kids along Mystic and Greenport always seem to be a better choice with many great things to do.
No problem with BI either but it depends on your tastes and activities.
If you do head to Northport our daughter is a dockmaster on that town dock - they finally upgraded the power to real 30 amp lines late this past season. Now on weekends and sometimes nice weekdays the dock fills up early so if you plan to be there in town try and plan accordingly We also boat out of Northport so say hi to us if you are in the area and we can buy you a beer or few.

Hope this helps
 
Block Island,,,anchor out is the best option, even during the7/4 holiday. It is also possible to get a mooring.
 
Hogan,we will keep you posted as to where we decide. Would love to meet up and have a cocktail or two. We will talk about BI if we can get there during the week it sounds as though it could work.
Smitty, We will probably stay at Britannia in Northport. I don't know if I want to chance coming all that way and not have a spot at the town dock. Seymours could also be a option if we decide to take a mooring. Where do you keep your boat?
 
If you are at Britiania you are like 10 minutes from my house.
I have friends in Britania too.
Let me know.
 
If you do head in to Brittania try and avoid a dead low approach or departure with your boat as the depth near Scudders Beach has diminished and just a foot more than dead low would be better. The lower depth areas start just after the Town slips on the left as you approach which are being dredged and rebuilt as I type this, stay on the numerous channel markers for best route. Brittania has had more openings the past few years so getting something there should not pose too much of a problem and the small restaurant there has been upgraded and gets quite busy. As yacht club members you can get options at CYC (Centerport Yacht Club) and NYC (Northport Yacht Club) as long as the timing of their tender services works for you, most use CYC as a rule. Seymours is always an option but if you choose you may want to make arrangements at Brittania and cancel if you are happier at the town dock - negatives are town docks are still a fixed dock , Brittania is still a ways apart from the small quaint town. The town still has an overabundance of restaurant's, ice cream places, wine tasting, and bars for its size in a very small area.
We are on a mooring about 75 yards directly off of the town docks northern tip. All of the dockmasters can be helpful regardless of whether you are at the dock or not and they operate a pump out boat right out of that dock as well.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top